Monday, November 19, 2012

Seasonal Ritual

By the end of summer, the drink signal becomes sun-bleached, mildewed, tattered, and generally ratty. I order a new set in the early spring each year (couple of dollars only) and start afresh.

A long-standing ritual in my family and house is that we dispose of the old one in solemn ceremony (in other words, we throw it into the fire haphazardly while drinking liquor).

The purpose of the "drinks signals":

During warm months at 5pm, we fly a cocktails flag outside of our city house, and welcome in for drinks anyone who presses the bell... anyone... which has been interesting. I am the sixth generation to conduct this strange tradition, though the original burgee didn’t make it past the second. Boxing The Compass, Feb. 3, 2011---
It becomes an open house for anyone who has the gumption or friendship to press the bell. You are invited up and given a drink. Like generations before me, this 5pm open-door policy has resulted in some hilarious/interesting afternoons. In some cases, it has been attended by the parents of friends who used to frequent the same event hosting by my parents and grandparents, long before my time.

What a marvelous tradition this is, and a delight that it has been passed on from one generation to the next! Would that I were able to hoist up such flags daily at 5 pm, but unfortunately I find myself toiling away in my city office until at least 7 pm most days. That means cocktail hour at home is bypassed and one goes directly to a restaurant, where dear spouse is waiting because -- by that hour -- the prospect of making dinner at home is less than appealing. Hope your Thanksgiving was a peaceful one. Reggie